PROFINET

Having proven its value in factory automation, industrial Ethernet is now emerging as a viable solution in the process industries as well. A new ARC White Paper entitled "PROFINET in the Process Industries" appeared in April 2007.

Version 4.1 of the SIMOTION Motion Control System features extended PROFINET functions for modular machine concepts, enabling electrical and hydraulic drives to be synchronized with each other. In addition, controllers can be configured simultaneously at the same PROFINET interface as IO Controller and IO Device. By means of controller-controller communication via PROFINET, SIMOTION V4.1 permits axis synchronization between several controllers.

The spread of distributed automation systems with PROFINET has also seen a growth in the significance of the monitoring and diagnostics of such systems. STEP 7 offers a range of internal system functions in this regard for diagnosing PROFINET IO devices. One application example uses two different solution approaches to show how this task can be implemented within the STEP 7 user program and displayed on a SIMATIC HMI system.

The new IM 151-3 PN FO interface module features integrated POF (poly- mer optic fibers) interfaces and utilizes the proven SC RJ cabling system which facilitates direct connection of the SIMATIC ET 200S product family to an optical PROFINET network. This means that for the first time both standard modules as well as fail-safe PROFIsafe modules can be operated on the ET 200S with a direct optical fiber connection. The integrated 2-port switch makes it easy to create linear topologies which are based on the machine or plant structure.

The new IE/AS-i Link PN IO router connects the AS-Interface level with the PROFINET level. As an AS-Interface master, the device facilitates an inte- grated exchange of information and diagnostics data. At the same time, the communication interface links higher-level systems even more efficiently with the lowest field level. The PROFINET link means the AS-Interface can now be even better integrated into the world of Totally Integrated Automation.